Fluid means



Jan. 8, 1963 l.. A.v BQRDEN FLUID MEANS Filed Sept. 8. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J5 C? 4 Je m2 35 6 114,1! @a o 45 42 @a4 0f` J2 21C 50 am 9 l F29 .3. r1 @1 UF D f ./5` 4:1 'l Jil Q f/,4

- I INVENTOR. 5M/v0 4. ,Saenz/V BY mw L. A. BORDEN Jan. 8,2 1963 FLUID MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed sept. e. 1959 United btates 3,072,065 FLUID MEANS Leland A. Borden, 540 E. Merrill Ave., Rialto, Calif. Filed Sept. 8, 1959, Ser. No. 838,649 Claims. (Cl. lr03- 128) The present invention relates to improved means and techniques for moving liquids and in its broader aspects is applicable to devices such as pumps, propulsion systenis and the like wherein it is desired to produce movement of fluids. Also, the present invention in its broader aspects is applicable to prime movers wherein fluid in motion accomplishes useful purposes.

Brielly, the arrangements described herein involve two oppositely rotating shafts upon which are arranged mating generally spiral convolutions for either pumping fluid in pumps or prime movers; and in each case the convolutions in each shaft are housed within a snugly fitting casing which in some cases may taper in a direction of the inlet to the outlet.

An obieet of the present invention is to provide improved devices of this character useful either as pumps or prime movers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pump structure which does not require seals of plastic or rubber material and thus may be used at very high or very low temperatures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved pump of this character in which two meshing elements are rotated and in operation have pockets formed near the circumference to entrap uid while rotating so as to expel fluid that enters an inlet into and through an outlet opening.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid device of this character using intermeshed rotary spiral screw members for blowers, pumps, compressors, motors and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved device of this character using mating helical impellers or pistons so constructed that compensation may readily be made to achieve proper mating of parts either in the initial manufacture or after subsequent use and wear.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement of this character which is par* ticularly useful in a propulsion system as, for example, in a system for propelling boats.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity of the appended claims. This invention itself, both as to its or ganization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a transverse sectional view through a device which is either a prime mover or a pump and which incorporates features of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view similar to FIG- URE l but of a modified structure.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a construction embodying features of the present invention on a boat.

Mice

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views taken on lines 5 5, 6 6 and 7--7' respectively in FIGURE 4.

The device shown in FIGURE l incorporates `generally three casing sections l0, Il, l2, the sections i0, l1 being bolted together by bolts id and the sections ll and 12 being bolted together by bolts I5. The housing or casing l has a pipe threaded opening 16 which serves as an outlet when the device is being used as .a lluid pump and this opening serves as an inlet when the device is being used as a prime mover. Simultaneously, the casing i2 has an opening 17 which serves as an inlet when the device is being used as a pump and which serves as an outlet when the device is being used as a prime mover.

Snugly received within the center casing section il are two intermeshed rotary screw members 2d and 2l. These members Ztl and 2i are rotated in opposite dire tions and in accordance wtih one important feature of the present invention, the axes of rotation of the two members 26 and are inclined one with respect to the other for achieving important advantages.

For these purposes the reduced shaft end 26A is journalled for rotation in the bushing 24 in casing section itl; and the other shaft end 263 ofthe member Zit is rotatably supported in the bushing 26 threaded in the casing section 12 with the reduced end of such sha t 29B having secured thereto the bevel gear Ztl meshing with a like bevel gear 29 on the driving shaft 39.

This drive shaft 33d corresponds to the shaft of the member 214. and such member 2l is rotatably mounted like previously described member Ztl. Thus, the shaft end 23A is rotatably mounted in the bushing 33 in the casing section lll and the drive shaft is rotatably mounted in the bushing 3d threaded in the casing section l2. Freierably Grings 3d and 39 surrounding shafts 2GB and 3) respectively and being pressed against an inner wall of casing section i2 by corresponding threaded bushings 25 and 3d, serve as sealing members.

As indicated previously, the rotational axes of the members 26 and 2i are inclined with respect to one another and this is clearly shown in the drawings. For this reason and also to achieve other advantages, the inner wall of the center casing section Il has two intercommunicating circular sections MA and 11B (FIGURE 2) which snugly receive the members 2h and 2i respectively; and such sections IIA and llB are tapered as indicated in FIGURE l. The spiral convolutions on the members 2li and 2l are of the same diameter throughout the length of the members Ztl and 2l. The degree of fit of the members 2li and 21 within the casing l1 is conveniently adjusted using spacers or shims d@ of different thicknesses, these spacers or shims 4d being clamped between adjacent flanges of the casing sections ll and l2.

It is noted that the annular shoulders 26C and ZlC on shafts of members Zit and 2l. respectively are spaced somewhat from the bushings 24 and 33 to allow the members Ztl and 2l to be moved further to the right in FIGURE 1, if so desired during initial manufacture or after subsequent use and wear. Such movement is accomplished by, for example, using a shim or spacer 4t) of smaller thickness so that when the device is assembled and the bolts 15 are tightened, the casing section l2 engaging shoulders 26E and ZlE of members 2d and 2l respectively causes the members Ztl and 21 to be moved further to the right in FIGURE 1 within the casing l1. By these means the relative spacing between the members Ztl and 21 as well as the relative spacing between these members and casing 11 may be conveniently adjusted.

It will be seen from the drawings that in operation of the device shown in FIGURE 1 (assuming that the same operates as a pump), fluid entering the inlet 17 and iiowing into the space t2 within casing section 12 is pressurized in the space between the mating convolutions of the oppositely rotating members 20 and 21 and that such fluid after being pressurized enters the cavity i3 within casing I which is in communication with the outlet opening 16. The arrangement shown in FIGURE 1 is considered to be a high pressure-low volume pump as distinct from the mediurn-pressure-medium volume pump presently described in connection with FIGURE 3.

In FIGURE 3 the unit is assembled as in FIGURE 1 and those parts in FIGURE 3 corresponding to those in FIGURE 1 are given the same reference numeral raised, however, by 100. Thus, in FIGURE 3 the screw-type impellers corresponding to impellers 20 and 21 have the reference numerals 120 and 121. It will be noted in FIGURE 1 that the thickness of the impeller convolutions is much greater than in FIGURE 3 and that the thickness of the convolution in FIGURE 1 is substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent sides of adjacent convolutions on the other impeller. This means that in FIGURE l one convolution of an impeller substantially completely fills the space between adjacent convolutions of the other impeller. In other words, there is in effect a double seal provided between one convolution on one impeller and two convolutions on the other impeller. In FIGURE 3 the thickness of the impellers is not as great as in FIGURE l and there is only in effect a single seal. Hence, the arrangement shown in FIGURE l is capable Of higher pressure operation, whereas in FIGURE 3 lower pressures only may be accommodated but at the same time the spacing between convolutio-ns allows the handling of greater uid flows. For that reason the arrangement shown in FIGURE 3 is characterized as a medium pressure-medium iiow unit.

Observing the construction of FIGURE 3, it is noted that the so-called single seal is provided between, on the one hand, one side of one convolution and, on the other hand, the end of a convolution of the other impeiler. This seal, as in FIGURE 2, is on a line extending transversely through the unit in FIGURE 3.

FIGURES 4-7 illustrate another form of the invention but specifically for impelling a boat 200. The boat includes a conventional gasoline driven engine 201 having its output shaft 202 geared to produce rotation of the shafts 204 and 205 in opposite directions. For this purpose there is a gear housing 20d in which there is a gear 207 mounted on shaft 202 and meshing with the gear 208 on shaft 204. A second gear 209 on shaft 20e meshes with the gear 210 on shaft 205. Thus, the shafts 204 and 205 4are driven at the same speed through the gear reduction unit 206, i.e. the shafts 204, 205 rotate at a slower speed than the speed of the engine shaft 202. However, as indicated above, the rotation of these shafts 204 and 205 are rotated in opposite directions.

In general, the speed of the shafts 20d and 205 is not critical but is related to the pitch of the impellers 212, 213 mounted respectively on the shafts 204 and 205. "I he speed at which these impellers are driven is related, of course, to the speed at which it is desired to drive the boat 200 and it is believed that one skilled in the art appreciates the relationship between impeller pitch and boat speed and available engine power.

In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, these two impellers constructed generally as shown in FIGURE 3 with a seal between adjacent convolutions of adjacent impell'ers are housed within a housing 215. The shape of the housing 215 is best seen in FIGURE 5 and it is noted that in general it includes two partial cylinders joined at the points 216 and 217, this housing 215 being shaped so as to provide an inner surface that conforms, with a close fit, with the peripheral portions of the impellers 212 and 213. It is desired that the clearance between these two peripheral portions and the housing be as small as practicably possible but the closeness of tit between adjacent convolutions of adjacent impellers is of greater importance. Instead of the impellers 2112 and 2713 being rotated about an inclined axis as in FIGURES 1-3, the axes of rotation extend generally parallel with the shafts 204,205 being journalled in corresponding bearings 21S and 219 mounted on the housing 2I5. This housing 215, as shown in FIGURE 4, is bolted by means of bolts 222 to the stern of the boat 200 such that the driving shafts 20d and 205 are inclined generally rearwardly and downwardly as illustrated in FIG- URE 4.

While in some cases it may be desired to tilt the axes of the driving shafts 204 and 205 as illustrated in FIG- URE 4, in other cases it may be desired to mount the driving shafts 20d and 205 such that their axes are horizontal or more horizontal than illustrated in FIGURE 4. In other cases it may be desirable to extend the housing 2I5 more rearwardly than shown in FIGURE 6 and also to project such extension upwardly.

While the housed impeller arrangement is described specifically in connection with the propulsion o-f a boat in FIGURE 4 7, it will be understood that the arrangement may be used for other purposes such as for propelling a stream of air in a wind tunnel, Ventilating systems or in any other system wherein it is desired to propel a stream of fluid either of the compressible or non-compressible type.

Also, while a gear bore has been shown for driving the shafts 204, 205, other means may obviously be used for producing equal rotation of the shafts in opposite directions.

While the particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

l. A fluid unit of the character described comprising a housing, a pair of impellers having helical convolutions in said housing in mating relationship thereto, bearing means mounting said impellers for rotation on said housing with the axis of rotation of one ofs the impellers being inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the other impeller, and means adjustably positioning said bearing means in said housing for axial movement with respect to said impellers to adjust the inclination of the shafts relative to each other.

2. A unit as defined in claim l in which said impellers each have helical convolutions of substantial thickness with adjacent sides of one impeller mating with adjacent sides of adjacent convolutio-ns of the otheryimpeller.

3. A unit as defined in claim 1 in which the spacing between adjacent convolutions of the impellers is greater than the thickness of a convolution.

4. A unit as defined in claim 1 in which the thickness of the convolutions of the two impellers is substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent sides of adjacent convolutions.

5. A unit as defined in claim l in which each of the impellers has shaft prolongations and said housing has two parts, one of said housing parts journalling one of said shaft prolongations and the other housing part journalling the other shaft prolongation for rotation, and said adjustably positioning means comprising shirns between the housing parts.

(References on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS Hersey July 26, 1859 Bixby Mar. 4, 1873 Steward Apr. 19, 1887 Blazer Oct. 11, 1898 Larsen et al. Sept. 22, 1914 Dorr Dec. 2, 1918 Neuland July 18, 1944 Parsons Dec. 23, 1952 Gerken May 111, 1954 Whiteld July Rich et al Oct.

FOREIGN PATENTS France July Great Britain Sept. Great Britain Apr. Great Britain Apr. France Jan. Great Britain Aug. France Aug. France Jan.

France Aug. 

1. A FLUID UNIT OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING A HOUSING, A PAIR OF IMPELLERS HAVING HELICAL CONVOLUTIONS IN SAID HOUSING IN MATING RELATIONSHIP THERETO, BEARING MEANS MOUNTING SAID IMPELLERS FOR ROTATION ON SAID HOUSING WITH THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF ONE OF THE IMPELLERS BEING INCLINED WITH RESPECT TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF THE OTHER IMPELLER, AND MEANS ADJUSTABLY POSITIONING SAID BEARING MEANS IN SAID HOUSING FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID IMPELLERS TO ADJUST THE INCLINATION OF THE SHAFTS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER. 